Double acting foot pedal and operating means



Mach 22, 1938.

M. w. WARREN DOUBLE ACTING FOOT PEDAL AND OPERATING MEANS 2. Sheets-Sheet 1 Filed Jan. 18, 1937 ii Invmtior Attorneys March 22,1938. M. w. WARREN 2,111,535

DbUBL-E ACTING FOOT PEDAL AND OPERATING MEANS Filed Jan. 18, 1957 2 sheets-sheep 2 v I n uenior flTMW/feat A/ Attornegs Patented Mar. 22, 1938 UNITED STATES- PATENT OFFICE DOUBLE ACTING FOOT PEDAL AND OPER- ATING MEANS 2 Claims.

The present invention relates to a combination foot pedal for use in present day automobiles, and has reference in particular to a unitary pedal designed to serve in one instance as a brake operating pedal, and secondly, as a foot accelerator.

As implied in theforegoing statement, I am sufflcicntly conversant with the state of the prior art to which the invention relates to realize that a combined or dual pedal is not broadly new. As a matter of fact, scanning the art, one will find that there is admitted need for concentrated pedal control, whereby the user can, without bodily shifting the foot, utilize it in a manner to either operate the throttle of the carburetor or control the brakes as occasion demands. .Since this idea is basically old, it is unnecessary to further dwell upon the subject other than to say that the present inventionhas been perfected with the thought in mind of providing a'more simple, satisfactory and feasible arrangement aptly fitted to obtain the desired results more effectively.

Briefly, the preferred embodiment of the invention comprises a horizontally disposed reciprocatory push rod having operating connection at one end with a fluid cylinder in the brake system, thersingle pedal being pivotally mounted on the opposite end thereof, and the toe portion of the pedal being connected with a spring returned link utilized to operate a bell crank to control the throttle of the carburetor.

Other features and advantages may become apparent from the following description and drawings.

' In the drawings:

Figure 1 is an elevational view of the assembl as constructed in accordance with the principles of my ideas.

Figure 2 is a top plan view of the arrangement depicted inFigure 1. 1

Figure 3 is a bottom plan view of the pedal plate per se. m Figure 4 is a section which may be said to be taken on the plane of the line l4 of Figure 1.

Referring now to the general assemblage as seen in Figure 1, it will be observed that the floor boards 5 are equipped adjacent the main floor 6 with a fixed guide bushing I to accommodate the reciprocatory push rod 8. The inner end of the push rod is pivotally connected as at 9 between companion lugs ill on the under side of the single double acting foot plate or pedal II. On the under side of the upper end portion of the pedal I provide similar lugs l2 and the adjacent end of 55 a link I3 is pivotally connected therewith, as inclicated at thepoint It, the link It extending through a slot I! in the floor boards 5. This link I3 is pivotally connected as at IS with a bell crank ll, the opposite end of the bell crank being connected with an actuating wire or control I8 lead- 5 ing to the throttle valve of the carburetor (not shown). The bell crank is pivotally fulcrumed on a suitable support as at IS. The numeral 20 designatesv a return springwhich normally keeps the pedal ll elevated, so to speak, and the throttle valve in the carburetor closed. By exerting pressure on the toe of the foot against the portion 2| of the pedal, the tension of the spring 20 is overcome, whereby to produce the desired accelerating action in an obvious manner.

The numeral 2i designates a relatively fixed hanger bracket which serves to accommodate a rocker arm 22. The rocker arm is pivotally supported between its ends as indicated at 23, and the lower end portion 24 is pivotally connected with a companion link 25 to control the piston in the master brake cylinder unit 26. The numeral 21 designates a return spring, that is, coil spring, anchored at 28 on the floor board and attached at its opposite end to the upper swingable end por tion of the rocker arm 22. This upper end of the rocker arm has pivotal connection as at 29 with the adjacent outer or forward end of the reciprocatory push rod 8.

It is obvious that in operation by exerting pres- 30 sure on the heel at the point 30, the pedal or plate II is depressed, so to speak, and in so doing exerts an end thrust on the push rod 8. This in turn actuates the rocker arm 22 to bring into play the brakes, whether they be fluid brakes or mechanical brakes. Of course, where mechanical brakes are used, a slightly difierent hook-up will be necessary, though the principle is the same.

By exerting toe pressure on the upper end portion 2| of the pedal plate, this obviously brings into play the link I3 and the bell crank whereby to control the throttle valve in the carburetor for acceleration in the usual way. It follows that with this simple organization of features we have a combined accelerator and. brake pedal in a single unitary arrangement. The advantages of such an assemblyare quite evident to those skilled in the art to which the invention relates. It is evident that inasmuch as the broad principle of operation is old, the novelty resides in the floating pedal idea, wherein the pedal is virtually supported on the spring returned push rod 8, the upper end thereof being operatively connected with the link I3 in turn joined to the spring returned bell crank, thus providing desirable sensitive operating connection between the respective parts to be controlled.

It is evident that when thebrake is on, so to speak, the throttle is closed. When the ac-- celerator is in use, the throttle is opened and the brake is released, and this alternate idea is constant at all times.

It is thought that the description taken in connection with the drawings will enable a clear understanding of the invention to be had. Therefore, a more lengthy description is thought unnecessary.

While the preferred embodiment oi the invention has been shown and described, it is to be understood that minor changes coming within thefleid of invention claimed may be resorted to if desired.

I claim:

1. In a structure of the class described, a support including a floor structure, said iioor structure being provided with a guide bushing, a push rod having a snug sliding fit in said guide bushing, a foot pedal pivotally connected at its lower end to said rod, a brake operating link, a hanger fixture, a rocker arm pivotally mounted on said hanger fixture, said rocker arm being operatively connected at one end with said link, and connected at its opposite end with the adjacent end of said push rod, together with a return spring connected with said rocker arm and anchored on said floor structure.

2. In a structure of the class described, in combination, a floor structure, a bushing mounted in said floor structure, a push rod horizontally disposed and having a snug sliding fit in said bushing, a pedal pivotally attached at its lower end on the adjacent end portion of said push rod, spring returned actuating means connected with said push rod and adapted for association with a brake structure, said floor board having a slot, a link slidably mounted in said slot, said link being pivotally attached at its inner end to the corresponding upper end of the pedal, a rockabiy mounted bell crank, spring return means for said bell crank, and an operating connection between the bell crank and carburetor control means.

N WILBUR WARREN. 

